(i) Write the theme of the Mahabharata. (ii) How does the Bhagavad-Gita begin?

Question

The Bhagavad-Gita is part of the epic Mahabharata. Since the theme of the Mahabharata is the struggle between rival factions of the Bharat clan, the Bhagavad-Gita begins with a description of the battlefield and the innumerable warriors lined up for fighting. The scene is laid in Kurukshetra, near Hastinapur, near modern Delhi. We find Arjun, one of the warrior princes, stationary in a kind of no man’s land between the two warring armies, his own and the enemy’s. Krishna is his charioteer. Arjun expresses some qualms about killing people, some of them his own kinsmen. This leads Krishna to expound his philosophy which is contained in this beautiful work. 

(a) (i) Write the theme of the Mahabharata. 

(ii) How does the Bhagavad-Gita begin? 

(iii) Where is the scene of the battle laid? 

(iv) Where do we find Arjun stationary? 

(v) When does Krishna expound his philosophy? 

(b) Give the synonyms of the following words :

(i) Faction

(ii) Warrior

(iii) Stationary 

(iv) Qualm 

(v) Kinsmen 

(vi) Philosophy

Answer 1

(a) (i) The theme of the Mahabharata is the struggle between rival factions of the Bharat clan. 

(ii) The Bhagavad-Gita begins with the description of the battlefield and innumerable warriors lined up for fighting. 

(iii) The scene of the battle is laid in Kurukshetra, near Hastinapur. 

(iv) We find Arjun, one of the warrior princes, stationary in a land of no man’s land between the two warring armies, his own and the enemy’s.

(v) When Arjun expresses some qualms about killing people, some of his own kinsmen, Krishna, his charioteer, expound his philosophy which forms the Bhagavad-Gita.

(b) (i) Faction tumult - dissension

(ii) Warrior - soldier

(iii) Stationary motionless - still

(iv) Qualm - feeling of doubt or anxiety about what might happen

(v) Kinsman - relative

(vi) Philosophy - teaching